NCPA Forms Advocacy Center

The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) has created an organization to house all of the organization’s advocacy functions that represent the interests of neighborhood pharmacists and their patients.

John M. Coster, PhD, RPh, has been appointed head of the NCPA Advocacy Center, which will unite the association’s government affairs, grassroots, pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) transparency, professional affairs, and public affairs programs to ensure that advocacy programs have the maximum impact possible.

Coster was most recently in charge of government affairs for the Generic Pharmaceutical Association, and previously served as NCPA’s senior vice president for government affairs during enactment of the 2010 Affordable Care Act.

“We’re excited about the synergy NCPA’s Advocacy Center will provide on behalf of community pharmacists and their patients,” said NCPA President Robert Greenwood, RPh. “Community pharmacists are well-positioned to play an even greater role in America’s health care system through expert medication counseling, improving patient medication adherence and other cost-saving services. I look forward to seeing this team successfully take that case to policymakers, private and public sector health plans, pharmacy stakeholders and patients.”